ToME: the Tales of Maj'Eyal

As a shalorn shadowblade, I can handle the teleporting crystals in the scintillating cavern in most circumstances without taking risks. However, it seems they have a tendency to not fire off a ranged attack on the turn they see me.

That changes when I go to rhaloren camp, with the various elven mages. Any other enemy I can generally handle, but the turn I see an elven mage (having just turned a corner or just saw it in the distance), I already have a spell either hitting me or flying toward me. Attempts to dodge the spell flying at me don't seem to work (can it be done?). I can try to toss up shield and rush them, but it's pretty iffy. I'm not sure how I'm supposed to counter them when even a lone one can cut my hp in half before I even know it's there! I can retreat and try to heal but due to their pursuit that tends to have about the same success rate as simply rushing them.

What are the tactics for handling this situation? I don't want to give up on shalorn shadowblade until I have figured out how to play it somewhat well. I've noticed I can't wield any ranged weapon I find (sling or bow) and can't train its requirement, not sure if there are any range attack alternatives.

You can learn to Shoot and Reload ranged weapons for 8 Gold in any of the weapon stores in Last Hope.

Typical early-game tactics for melee chars dealing with spellcasters will involve one of more of

• Use "Rush" or a movement infusion to kill them.
• Use ranged attacks (Shadowblades get a Light spell that does decent damage in a radius, or you can go with a sling).
• Fall back, around a corner (preferably a diagonal corner), and wait for them to approach.

Some spells can be dodged. It depends on the spell. The ones that create a visible projectile which moves toward you can be dodged if you happen to get a turn while the projectile is still in flight. You'll typically have to figure out which direction it's moving (since you just see it frozen in place), and move in some other direction. (In some cases, moving far enough back along its line of travel will also work, as it will terminate and explode at the point you were standing when the spell was launched. Again, it depends on which spell.)

You can also leave the Shaloren starting region and skip the Rhaloren encampment altogether. You can always do the Thaloren and Allied Kingdoms quests instead.

I've found that the starting shield rune and the shaloren speed talent lets me smash the crystals without dying at all.
I have to use the phase door rune occasionally, but that is good practise for later in the game as well.